Nectarine tree

ABSTRACT

A nectarine tree which is of medium size, medium vigor, spreading, foliated with large, acutely pointed, lanceolate leaves which are smooth and have a crenate margin, a regular and productive bearer of large to medium size, uniform, symmetrical, globose, freestone fruit having yellow skin substantially overspread with red, yellow flesh, and a red pit cavity with the red streaked into the flesh, and the stone having a sweet kernel.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

Over a substantial number of years I have engaged in an extensive andcontinuing plant breeding program at my experimental nursery and orchardlocated near Le Grand, Merced County, Calif.; one purpose of suchprogram being to provide improved varieties of fruit trees. The presentvariety of nectarine tree resulted from my endeavors in the conduct ofsuch plant breeding program.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The present variety of nectarine tree was originated by me, in myexperimental nursery and orchard located as aforesaid, as an F₁ crossbetween the May Grand nectarine (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,794) as thepollen parent, and the Red Free nectarine (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,228) asthe seed parent. The variety, as thus originated, and under careful andcontinuing observation, evidenced -- upon bearing fruit -- certain novelcharacteristics which were commercially desirable, and I, therefore,undertook asexual reproduction of the variety preparatory to introducingit to the trade.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

Subsequent to origination and selection by me of the present variety ofnectarine tree, in the manner above described, I asexually reproduced itby top-working on mature trees in my said experimental orchard, and --in maturity -- such reproductions ran true to the original tree in allrespects.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The present variety of nectarine tree is of medium size, medium vigor,spreading, foliated with large, acutely pointed, lanceolate leaves whichare smooth and have a crenate margin, a regular and productive bearer oflarge to medium size, uniform, symmetrical, globose, freestone fruithaving yellow skin substantially overspread with red, yellow flesh, anda red pit cavity with the red streaked into the flesh, and the stonehaving a sweet kernel; the variety being particularly characterized byfruit which resembles the pollen parent, May Grand, in its attractivered skin and juicy flesh, and resembles the seed parent, Red Free, inmost other respects, but ripens about one week later than said Red Free.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The drawing is an illustration, by photographic reproduction in color,of leaves and fruit of the variety; one of the fruit being cut intohalves to expose the flesh, with the stone remaining in one such half.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The botanical details of this new and distinct variety of nectarine tree-- with color definitions (except those in common color terms) referencdto Maerz and Paul Dictionary of Color -- are as follows:

Tree:

Size.--Medium.

Vigor.--Medium.

Growth.--Spreading.

Production.--Productive.

Bearing.--Regular bearer.

Trunk:

Size.--Medium.

Texture.--Medium.

Branches:

Size.--Medium.

Texture.--Medium.

Leaves:

Size.--Large; average length -- 61/2"; average width -- 13/4".

Form.--Lanceolate; acutely pointed.

Thickness.--Medium.

Texture.--Smooth.

Margin.--Crenate.

Petiole.--Medium to short -- average -- 1/2'; Medium thickness.

Glands.--Average number and position -- 2 on petiole and 2 on blade;alternate; medium size; reniform.

Color.--Top side -- Medium green (23-L-7); under side -- Lighter green(22-K-6).

Flower buds:

Size.--Medium.

Length.--Medium.

Form.--Plump.

Flowers:

Blooming period.--Medium, as compared with other varieties.

Size.--Large.

Fruit:

Maturity when described.--Eating ripe.

Date of first picking.--Aug. 14th, 1976.

Date of last picking.--Aug. 22nd, 1976.

Size.--Large to medium; variable; average diameter axially -- 23/8";average transversely in suture plane -- 23/8".

Form.--Uniform; symmetrical; globose.

Suture.--Shallow; extends from base to apex, with slight depressionbeyond pistil point.

Ventral surface.--Rounded strongly.

Cavity.--Rounded, with suture showing on both sides.

Base.--Rounded.

Apex.--Short; depressed.

Pistil point.--Inconspicuous.

Skin:

Thickness.--Medium.

Texture.--Medium.

Tenacity.--Parts easily from flesh.

Tendency to crack.--Slight.

Down.--Wanting.

Color.--Yellow (9-L-5) substantially overspread with red (5-L-5) shadingto darker red (7-L-6), with some yellow speckling and red mottling.

Flesh:

Amygdalin.--Wanting.

Juice.--Moderate; rich.

Texture.--Firm to medium; fine; crisp; meaty to melting.

Fibers.--Fine.

Ripens.--Evenly.

Flavor.--Subacid; mild; delicate.

Aroma.--Wanting.

Eating quality.--Good.

Color.--Yellow (10-L-5).

surface of pit cavity.--Red (5-L-5), with white fibers; the redstreaking into the flesh.

Stone:

Type.--Free.

Size.--Medium; average length -- 11/4"; average breadth -- 11/8";average thickness -- 7/8".

Form.--Oblong.

Base.--Straight.

Hilum.--Narrow.

Apex.--Acute.

Sides.--Equal.

Ridges.--Rounded.

Pits.--Angular.

Ventral edge.--Thin.

Dorsal edge.--Full, with narrow groove throughout.

Tendency to split.--Slight.

Kernel.--Sweet.

Color.--Red (7-J-6).

Use: Market -- local; dessert; culinary; canning.

Keeping quality: Medium.

Resistance to insects and diseases: No unusual susceptibilities noted.

Shipping quality: Medium.

The nectarine tree and its fruit herein described may vary in slightdetail due to climatic and soil conditions under which the variety maybe grown; the present description being of the variety as grown in theCentral Valley of California.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, substantiallyas illustrated and described, which is of medium size, medium vigor,spreading, foliated with large, acutely pointed, lanceolate leaves whichare smooth and have a crenate margin, a regular and productive bearer oflarge to medium size, uniform, symmetrical, globose, freestone fruithaving yellow skin substantially overspread with red, yellow flesh, anda red pit cavity with the red streaked into the flesh, and the stonehaving a sweet kernel; the variety being particularly characterized byfruit which resembles the pollen parent, May Grand, in its attractivered skin and juicy flesh, and resembles the seed parent, Red Free, inmost other respects, but ripens about one week later than said Red Free.